Flying a drone is not allowed in every place. There are some rules you need to follow. Flying a drone in a location where it is not permitted may result in a fine. Therefore, always follow the drone rules.

In this blog we explain where you can and cannot fly a drone.

Where are you allowed to fly a drone in Germany?

General rules where you can fly a drone:

• Drone flights are permitted in uncontrolled airspace
• Drone flights over buildings are permitted provided all conditions are met
• Drone flights are permitted up to a maximum height of 120 meters
• The drone must be flown in the direct line of sight of the pilot

There are different types of airspace in Germany. Below you will find an overview of the different zones. Drone flights in the open category are only permitted in unmarked areas. The platform dipul offers a digital map for Germany.

Unmarked areas	Allowed
Aviation areas	Red – Prohibited for drones
Protected nature reserves	Green – Prohibited for drones
Houses and buildings	Yellow – Subject to conditions

If you want to fly a drone in Germany, you should consider the following areas. Drone flight is in these areas forbidden:

• Flying over crowds of people, highways, industrial areas, hospitals and prisons
• Flying over property or natural areas
• Fly within 1.5 km of airports
• Flying in controlled airspace (no-fly zone)

When are you allowed to fly a drone over buildings?

Drone flights directly over buildings/houses are not permitted. However, it is allowed to fly near buildings. It is important that the privacy of each individual is respected. There are some exceptions that allow drones to fly over buildings.

• The drone weighs less than 250 grams and is not equipped with a camera
• The drone has a C0, C1 or C2 label, you have the corresponding certificates
• You have permission from the building owner

Use this decision-making aid to calculate which certificate you need for your drone.

What rules does a drone pilot have to adhere to in Germany?

General rules and requirements for the drone pilot:

• You have received the EU drone driving license and can show it
• You have registered as an operator and attached the registration number to the drone and the registration number is transmitted via Remote ID
• You must take out liability insurance
• You respect the privacy of others

Drone flight in Germany? Get your EU drone license

An EU drone license is often required to operate a drone weighing 250 grams or more. You can easily purchase the EU drone license online. You complete an online training course and take an online exam. Once you have passed this, you can apply for the official EU drone license, which is recognized by the European agency EASA. This means you can fly legally in Germany and the rest of the EU.

Do you have questions about where you can fly a drone in Germany or which certificate you need for your drone? Get in touch with us!